It isn't often that we have the opportunity to save a life. Bone marrow transplantation can be life-saving for patients with cancers of the blood and lymph tissue.

When patients reach the point in their disease where they need a bone marrow transplant, they are otherwise facing an almost certain death. Unfortunately, only 30 percent of patients who need bone marrow have a family member who is a compatible donor.

The other 70 percent rely on people who have joined the National Marrow Donor Program. Many patients die of their cancers because a compatible donor cannot be found.

Please consider enrolling in the National Marrow Donor Program. We have organized a registration drive for Tuesday, April 29, at Sandhills Community College. It will be a true community event with participation of many of the local heath care and community organizations.

Registration is painless and requires only a cheek swab. If you are found to be a match, you can literally save a person's life. Donation generally requires only removing the necessary blood cells from a vein -- a virtually painless procedure. Your body rapidly replaces the cells that have been removed.

Please stop by on Tuesday and get swabbed to save a life.

Paul J. Kuzma M.D.

Pinehurst Anesthesiology Associates

Pinehurst